Disgraced ex-footballer Robinho has vehemently denied allegations that he enjoys special privileges in prison, branding them as ‘lies’. The former Manchester City forward, now aged 41, is currently serving a nine-year sentence after being convicted of rape by an Italian court in 2017. Despite numerous appeals and attempts by the Italian court to extradite Robinho, who continues to proclaim his innocence, he was found guilty of participating in the gang rape of a woman at a Milan nightclub in 2013.
The former Brazil international only began serving his lengthy sentence in his home country in March 2024. The father-of-three is incarcerated at Dr Jose Augusto Cesar Salgado Prison in the state of Sao Paulo, more commonly known as P2 Tremembe. This facility has been dubbed ‘Brazil’s prison for famous people’, housing 430 inmates in cells varying in size from nine to 15 square metres, each capable of accommodating up to six people. Robinho reportedly requested a prison transfer recently, which was rejected by Brazilian courts.
Now, the Taubate Community Council, a non-profit organisation established by Judge Sueli Zeraik to support the judiciary, has released a video in which Robinho refutes claims of having privileges or receiving different treatment to other prisoners.
Robinho said: “I have never had any kind of benefit. Visits are on Saturdays or Sundays. When my wife doesn’t come alone, she comes with my children. Visits are the same, and everyone is treated equally.
“My diet, my sleep schedule, everything is the same as for the other inmates. I have never eaten anything different, and I have never received different treatment. When it’s time to work, I do everything the other inmates do. If we want to play football, it’s allowed on Sundays, when there is no work.
“The lies that have been circulating, that I’m a prison leader, that I have psychological problems, I’ve never had that. I’ve never had to take medication, thank God, despite how difficult it is to be in prison.
“But, thank God, I’ve always stayed sane, and I’m doing everything that all the other inmates also do.”
The former Real Madrid striker explained that Tremembe prison focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration for those who have committed offences.
He said: “I have never had any kind of leadership role here, or anywhere else. Here, the guards are in charge, as I already told you, and we, the inmates, just obey.
“I am not different because I was a footballer, quite the opposite. I’ve been here a year and a half and I’ve never had any type of quarrel, even in football when we have a game here.”
The prison is home to politicians such as Luiz Estevao, celebrities like Antonio Marcos Pimenta das Neves, and several notorious criminals.
Robinho joined Manchester City player in 2008, when Emirati Royal Sheikh Mansour marked his purchase of the club by signing the Brazilian star for a hefty £32.5million.
Already a big name at Real Madrid, Robinho’s arrival at City was met with huge excitement given his reputation as one of the world’s top talents before his move to the Bernabeu.
He made an immediate impact, scoring 15 goals and assisting nine more in his debut season under Mark Hughes. However, his early promise faded and he was allowed to leave on loan after less than two years with the club.
Robinho later sealed a permanent move to AC Milan at the end of the 2009/10 season.
